Posted by Brian Rapoza on November 15, 2015 at 01:13:16
Eight birders joined me for today's birding tour to STA-5 in Hendry County. The group was treated not only to good birds, but also the first day of cooler temperatures in months. The rains held off virtually from start to finish. By my count, 73 bird species were tallied. Wild hog was the only mammal of note spotted along the way (not including roadkill). Birds seen along CR 833 (Snake Road) and CR 835 included Wild Turkey, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Crested Caracara, Sandhill Crane, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Pileated Woodpecker. At STA-5, wintering waterfowl numbers were lower than usual. Fulvous Whistling-Ducks likely outnumbered all other ducks encountered, with at least 200 seen. Six other ducks were present: Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck and Ruddy Duck. Raptors included only one each of Snail Kite and Peregrine Falcon, but many Osprey, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk and American Kestrel. Gray-headed Swamphens were everywhere; a congregation of twenty was found at one stop. At least three Sora were heard, but none seen. Only one Limpkin was heard, none were seen. Also heard but not seen was a Least Bittern. One American Avocet was among a flock of Black-necked Stilt. Killdeer, Black-bellied Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitcher were the only other shorebirds seen. Caspian Tern was the only larid seen. Carlos Sanchez and Ben Woodard alerted us to the presence of a Tropical Kingbird at the east end of the impoundments. This bird is likely the same individual that has wintered at STA-5 for the past couple of years. By the time we arrived at the kingbird location, it was swarming with other birding groups also touring STA-5 today. The kingbird was very obliging, perching in a bare-leafed bush across the canal from our position, providing excellent scope views. After lunch in Clewiston, some of us returned to our tour's starting point via SR 80 west, then south on CR 833. Along CR 833, just north of Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area, we were startled to see a Florida Panther crossing the road ahead of us! Unfortunately, the panther melted into the brush before any of us could obtain satisfying looks. This was my third panther ever. Thanks, as always to Margaret England of Hendry-Glades Audubon Society for continuing to make these STA-5 tours possible.